Hepworth shouted that it was her bag as a shop assistant grappled with accomplice Martin, said prosecuting counsel Katherine Hunter. The gang ran to a waiting van on Mustard Hill Road, where Hepworth stuffed the contents of the bag, worth £500, down the front of her top as they sped away, the court heard.

Hepworth and Martin were both arrested later that evening and taken to Staines police station, where at first they denied being involved in the incident.

Later, they both admitted the theft, which took place on March 22 this year, and Hepworth admitted assault.

The court heard that heroin addict Hepworth was on bail for a separate offence where she allegedly punched a woman while she was trying to take her handbag.

She also has a number of other previous convictions, including dishonesty, shop lifting, affray, and obtaining services by deception, said Miss Hunter.

Adam Kane, defending Hepworth, told the court that the mother of two from Island Farm Road assaulted Mrs Holmes because she tripped on her high heals, pulling the victim to the ground.

He said: “So far as the theft by Mrs Hepworth is concerned it is the same old story. She has an entrenched heroin addiction that goes back 15 years.

“Twenty minutes before the theft occurred the defendant was in a police station, and according to officers this defendant was under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This offence was an opportunistic offence with the attempt to get more drink and drugs.”

Martin, from Edge Hill Court in Walton has previous convictions for theft, common assault, shop lifting, robbery and possession of a firearm where he was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institution, the court heard.

Robert Colover, defending him, said: “There was drink consumed before and after this incident. His recollection is indistinct in the extreme.

“It was his understanding that Mrs Hepworth was going in with £30 to buy some drink.”

Judge John Crocker, who has sentenced Hepworth for previous offences, told her: “I have known you for quite some years now and I have given you chance after chance.

“Your record speaks for itself. You stole the handbag, there was no need to push that lady and I find that an aggravating feature.”

Serial offender Hepworth was sentenced to nine months behind bars for the theft, and a additional three months, to be served consecutively, for the common assault.

Martin, who is due to be a father next week, was told by Judge Crocker he had an unenviable record, and was jailed for 12 months for his part in the attack.